There were other telltale signs – she advertised on website Pets4Homes, numerous mobile phones were uncovered marked with puppy breeds, and her email address matched the one used to advertise her services as an escort.

This video contains some graphic scenes of animal cruelty. Avoid if you are likely to be offended.

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She also routinely told buyers they could not meet the puppies’ mothers because they were separated for ‘weaning’. Instead, she’d show them a fake picture in a pink heart frame.

Also found were a pile of blankets, puppy pens and an iPad recording puppy sales.

Brazen Grace had been selling the dogs while on bail awaiting trial for running a puppy farm with her brother, Julian King. That case had been the biggest of its kind ever prosecuted by the RSPCA, involving hundreds of puppies.

Grace Banks seen leaving court

Jailed for five months last October after pleading guilty on the day of trial - she was released in time to stand trial again.

This time, she blamed a friend - who just happened to match her description and also drive a white Mercedes.

Banks, of Reed Street Gorton and also known as Leah Rogers and Lilly Cooper, used two Oldham addresses to sell puppies.

Finding Banks guilty at Manchester Magistrates’ Court , Mr Sanders described her as a ‘completely unconvincing’ witness who struggled to remember a ‘concocted’ story and ruled the she was selling the puppies, with a male accomplice.

He added: “Although I only heard evidence of eight puppies it is clear ...that she was involved in the selling of many, many more.

“Ms Banks is a thoroughly dishonest woman who has inflicted considerable misery on innocent members of the public through her activities with animals. She knew that her victims would be unable to resist the purchase of a puppy even though they had misgivings about the arrangements and what they were being told. Her approach to animal welfare was cruel and callous.

“She has shown no remorse.”

What inspectors found when they raided her property

He found Banks guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a puppy, not ensuring the needs of nine puppies, keeping a pet shop without a licence and fraud.

Warning Banks she faced jail, he adjourned the case to Crown Court so they could impose a sentence longer than six months.

Ian Briggs, chief inspector with RSPCA special operations unit, said: “Her set up was designed to maximise profits. She lulled buyers into a false sense of security by making people think she was a legitimate breeder. She actually didn’t care eat all – her sole driver was to maximise profits. She wanted the dogs in and out as quickly as possible while trying to allay the fears of buyers.”

What happened to the victims

The consequences for many families who fell victim to Banks were traumatic:

- Helen Mercer bought a ‘cockapoo’ for £595. When she took it to the vet, it was revealed to be a cocker spaniel.

- Christine Karowski bought a puppy which had a severe intestinal infection.

- Jill Scott bought a West Highland terrier from a ‘Tracey Allan’. But the puppy died after a short painful illness.

- Sharon David bought Lulu, a Cavachon puppy from a ‘Sarah’. She later tested positive to parvovirus and kennel cough.

- Lorna Melia bought a Cavachon too, but it was female not male as advertised – and had fleas and worms.

- Maureen Heath bought a £600 puppy which had e-coli and giardia. Her husband became ill over Christmas with giardia.

- Colin Daines picked up a £575 cocker spaniel. It later became sick, vomiting worms. It had E-coli, enterococcus and campylobacter – and passed the stomach illness on to Mr Daine’s young granddaughter.

- Mrs Campbell paid £575 for a puppy which was revealed to have an abdominal hernia.